International Journal of Paleopathology, Jun 1, 2021
OBJECTIVE Real industrialization was late to arrive in South Africa and was associated with the d... more OBJECTIVE Real industrialization was late to arrive in South Africa and was associated with the development of mining in its northern regions. This paper explores the development and spread of infectious diseases (particularly tuberculosis), against the backdrop of metabolic disease. MATERIALS Published data regarding skeletons from various mining sites and historical information are collated, including information from the early accessions into the Raymond A. Dart Collection. METHODS While findings from several sites (e.g., Gladstone at Kimberley, Koffiefontein, Witwatersrand Deep Mine and Lancaster Mine) have been described individually, they have not been assessed collectively. This paper provides a broad overview by collating information from these sites, in comparison with a rural, pre-industrialized population. RESULTS Malnutrition, including scurvy, was common in most mining groups. Tuberculosis was rare in earlier mining groups, and the first possible skeletal cases only occurred after the establishment of closed housing compounds. From there it spread rapidly across the subcontinent. CONCLUSIONS Nutritional insufficiencies / metabolic disease and high death rates, due to trauma and infectious diseases, were common. Tuberculosis in South Africa is closely associated with development of the mining industry. SIGNIFICANCE This research highlights the development of tuberculosis in South Africa and its association with the mining industry. The role of migrant labor and the associated housing practices is elucidated. LIMITATIONS Sample sizes are limited, but the findings of this study are supported by documentary evidence. FUTURE RESEARCH Sample sizes should be increased, and the association between closed compound living and the development of disease further explored.
The Acsádi and Nemeskéri Complex Method is a multifactorial adult age estimation method that make... more The Acsádi and Nemeskéri Complex Method is a multifactorial adult age estimation method that makes use of weighting systems. The Complex Method employs the use of four skeletal elements in assessing age, including the degree of endocranial suture closure, age-related changes to the pubic symphyseal surface, and the internal structural changes observable in the proximal humerus and femur. Acsádi and Nemeskéri reported a very optimistic error margin of ±2.5 years when all four skeletal elements were used. Despite these promising results, the Complex Method's effectiveness has been questioned, suggesting that it results in a constant over- and underestimation of age in younger and older groups, respectively. In this study, the Complex Method was tested on a modern South African skeletal sample (n = 313) with individuals of known age-at-death. Results from this study to some extent justify the critique levelled against the Complex Method's tendency to over- and underestimate age. Nevertheless, the Complex Method still performed surprisingly well for certain skeletal element combinations. Contrary to Acsádi and Nemeskéri's findings, the use of all four skeletal elements did not provide more accurate age estimates. For the most part, combinations making use of three or two skeletal elements outperformed the use of all four skeletal indicators. Results from this study indicate caution in using a blanket approach when it comes to deciding on the best combination of skeletal elements used in multifactorial methods. It is suggested that the Complex Method may be optimised by making use of sex- and population-specific skeletal element combinations and weighting systems in the future.
With the largest genomic dataset to date of Bantu-speaking populations, including newly generated... more With the largest genomic dataset to date of Bantu-speaking populations, including newly generated data of modern-day and ancient DNA from previously unsampled regions in Africa, we shed fresh light on the expansion of peoples speaking Bantu languages that started ∼4000 years ago in western Africa. We have genotyped 1,740 participants, including 1,487 Bantu speakers from 143 populations across 14 African countries, and generated whole-genome sequences from 12 Late Iron Age individuals. Our results show that Bantu speakers received significant gene-flow from local groups in regions they expanded into. We show for the first time that genetic diversity amongst Bantu-speaking populations declines with distance from western Africa, with current-day Zambia and the DRC as possible crossroads of interaction. Using spatially explicit methods and correlating genetic, linguistic and geographical data, we provide cross-disciplinary support for a serial founder migration model. Finally, we discus...
ABSTRACT Various skeletons from the uThukela region of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Mountains of So... more ABSTRACT Various skeletons from the uThukela region of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa were excavated from rock shelters there during the early part of the twentieth century, with limited accompanying data or analysis. This paper analyses and reports on nine such graves (eight of which contained human remains), excavated during 1931 near Cathkin Peak. The remains are currently housed in the Raymond A. Dart Archaeological Human Remains Collection, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Most of the skeletons were radiocarbon-dated to between the fourteenth and mid-seventeenth centuries, but one is older and dates to between the seventh and ninth centuries AD. Remains recovered from the various shelters included those of both adults and children, males and females, indicating that these rock shelters were used for the burials of, and were possibly occupied by, a wide variety of individuals over a long period of time. Skeletal analyses revealed several signs of disease and trauma, attesting to some hardships living in this region of South Africa. Stable isotope analyses of carbon and nitrogen indicate a predominantly plant-based diet. Originally it was thought that these individuals’ remains represented those of the historic amaZizi people, however, radiocarbon dates indicate that they are contemporaneous with the Moor Park phase of the Blackburn branch, which predates the amaZizi by several decades. Of interest is the fact that one individual predates the Moor Park phase. This is significant and sheds some light on the movement of people from KwaZulu-Natal into the interior. Future ancient DNA analysis will provide more information on the origin and genetic relationship of these individuals.
The Nyanga complex is situated in the Penhalonga district of Manicaland province in northern Zimb... more The Nyanga complex is situated in the Penhalonga district of Manicaland province in northern Zimbabwe. According to various archival and modern sources, six skeletons were discovered in this region in the 1930s and are supposedly curated in the Raymond A. Dart Collection of Archaeological Humans Remains at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. In an attempt to locate these skeletons and associate them with the sites, archival records, skeletal and faunal analyses and radiocarbon dating were used to gain more information on the bioarchaeology of the region. Only three of the skeletons could be located in the Dart Collection, two of which could be reliably radiocarbon dated, one from the Hill of Paintings to before the beginning of the Nyanga complex, the other, from Mkondwe, to most probably contemporary with it. The latter shows evidence of dental modification similar to that seen in individuals recovered from the Monk's Kop site, situated to the north of Zimbabwe. This study forms part of a larger attempt to bring context to skeletons housed in archaeological collections because of their value as sources of information on the past.
During December of 2006, skeletal remains of eleven individuals were exhumed from the Du Preezhoe... more During December of 2006, skeletal remains of eleven individuals were exhumed from the Du Preezhoek cemetery located on the western banks of the Apies River, next to the Old NZASM Bridge, as part of a Heritage Impact Assessment. The excavated cemetery dated to the latter half of the 19th century and contained the remains of early pioneers. The remains were studied before they were reburied in the Du Preez allotment at the Old Church Street West Cemetery. Physical anthropological techniques were used to analyse these skeletons to determine their demographics, health, diet and lifestyles. The demographic information provided comparative data which could be assessed in terms of existing genealogical data, resulting in the potential identification of the remains. The pathological information gathered through the physical anthropological analyses provided insight into these individuals’ lifestyles and a glimpse into pioneer life in 19th century Pretoria.
To address problems of reproducibility related to current age estimation methods, the enhanced co... more To address problems of reproducibility related to current age estimation methods, the enhanced computational Methods (ECM) were previously developed using a sample of white North American male pubic symphyses and showed promise in improving current techniques. However, given the evidence of sex and population differences in the onset of age markers, this study set out to test the ECM on a white South African sample. The sample consisted of 184 well-preserved os coxae from individuals of known age and sex. Pubic symphyseal surfaces were scanned using the Artec Spider 3D scanner, processed using Artec Studio 10 and analyzed using forAge. Point estimates of age were then compared to the true age of each individual. Results indicate that the ECM performed poorly in a white South African population, with consistent underestimation of age-at-death and weak positive correlations with true age. Despite the low correlations, the ECM did, however, reduce observer error.
... in the adult skeleton are still largely absent before the advent of pu-berty enabling a less ... more ... in the adult skeleton are still largely absent before the advent of pu-berty enabling a less definitivedetermination of sex in immature ... is also argued that the genetic characteristics associated with ancestry cannot be determined with great accuracy in juvenile remains because ...
Burial of remains is an important factor when one attempts to establish the post-mortem interval ... more Burial of remains is an important factor when one attempts to establish the post-mortem interval as it reduces, and in extreme cases, excludes oviposition by Diptera species. This in turn leads to modification of the decomposition process. The aim of this study was to record decomposition patterns of buried remains using a pig model. The pattern of decomposition was evaluated at different intervals and recorded according to existing guidelines. In order to contribute to our knowledge on decomposition in different settings, a quantifiable approach was followed. Results indicated that early stages of decomposition occurred rapidly for buried remains within 7–33 days. Between 14 and 33 days, buried pigs displayed common features associated with the early to middle stages of decomposition, such as discoloration and bloating. From 33 to 90 days advanced decomposition manifested on the remains, and pigs then reached a stage of advanced decomposition where little change was observed in the...
An essential part of paleopathology is the study of diet and nutrition as well as inferring aspec... more An essential part of paleopathology is the study of diet and nutrition as well as inferring aspects of diet and nutrition from the skeletal pathology. Interpretation of nutritional and metabolic disease-related pathologies often provides additional insight into the daily social and cultural practices of people. However, precise diagnoses of specific vitamin-related deficiencies in archaeological skeletal remains are still quite problematic and specific diagnoses are rarely possible. This partly stems from the fact that many nutritional or metabolic diseases do not necessarily result in an osteological response and when they do, the comorbidity and analogous osteological responses to vitamin deficiencies may hamper the definite diagnosis of nutrition-related disease.
Trauma analysis in archaeological human remains can aid our understanding of cultural practices, ... more Trauma analysis in archaeological human remains can aid our understanding of cultural practices, socioeconomic status, environmental and social conditions, and even aspects of a person's occupation. For this reason, fracture patterns and frequencies can be useful in making inferences about the environment people lived and worked in. This is especially true for the 20th century mining industry where unskilled migrant labourers were often subjected to harsh working and living conditions. In this study, the skeletal remains of 36 Chinese indentured mine labourers, who worked and died on the Witwatersrand mines, South Africa, during the period ad 1904-1910, were assessed for evidence of trauma. Historical information suggests that these indentured Chinese labourers were unfamiliar with the workings of deep-level mines and as a result sustained many work-related injuries. Analyses suggest low frequencies of ante-mortem trauma. In the few instances where they occurred, these healed fractures most probably reflect injuries already sustained in China, some time before Chinese indentured employment on the Witwatersrand mines. A high frequency of traumatic lesions, specifically perimortem fractures, however, suggests a drastic shift in their working environment attesting to the hazardous working conditions associated with deep-level mining in the early 20th century.
An essential part of bioarchaeology is the study of diet and nutrition and its effects on the gen... more An essential part of bioarchaeology is the study of diet and nutrition and its effects on the general health of a person. Interpretation of nutritional and metabolic disease related pathologies often provide additional insight into the daily social and cultural practices of people. It is therefore also an essential part of understanding differences amongst past populations from archaeological contexts and provides an alternative means for cross referencing historical accounts. In this study the skeletal remains of 36 Chinese indentured mine labourers, who worked and died on the Witwatersrand mines during the period AD 1904-1910, were assessed for any signs of metabolic or nutritionally related signs of disease. Historical information suggests that these indentured Chinese labourers came from poverty stricken communities in China where disease and malnutrition were often encountered. Once in South Africa they were again subjected to the harsh living and working conditions associated with mining. Analyses suggest that all 36 individuals were males between the ages of 16 and 45 years, with the majority being of young adult age (20-34 years). Pathology that could be observed included a high prevalence of nutrition-related changes and linear enamel hypoplasia which suggests that the Chinese miners had been subjected to long periods of malnutrition and illness throughout childhood continuing into adulthood. Nevertheless, a large proportion of lesions associated with malnutrition showed some degree of healing. A high frequency of traumatic lesions, specifically peri-mortem fractures, was observed and may have contributed to the death of many of the Chinese miners. It therefore seems that even though the healing of pathological lesions associated with malnutrition indicated a period of improved nutritional intake, possibly during their time on the Witwatersrand mines, the high prevalence of peri-mortem fractures attests to the hazardous working conditions associated with deep-level mining. In order to aid in the interpretation of skeletal pathology associated with metabolic and nutritional diseases non-specific signs of disease observed in a cadaver skeletal sample with known causes of death (related to specific metabolic or nutritional diseases) were compared to pathology observed in the Chinese miners. This provided pathological patterns which enabled a better interpretation of the pathology observed in the Chinese skeletal remains.
During December of 2006, skeletal remains of eleven individuals were exhumed from the Du Preezhoe... more During December of 2006, skeletal remains of eleven individuals were exhumed from the Du Preezhoek cemetery located on the western banks of the Apies River, next to the Old NZASM Bridge, as part of a Heritage Impact Assessment. The excavated cemetery dated to the latter half of the 19th century and contained the remains of early pioneers. The remains were studied before they were reburied in the Du Preez allotment at the Old Church Street West Cemetery. Physical anthropological techniques were used to analyse these skeletons to determine their demographics, health, diet and lifestyles. The demographic information provided comparative data which could be assessed in terms of existing genealogical data, resulting in the potential identification of the remains. The pathological information gathered through the physical anthropological analyses provided insight into these individuals' lifestyles and a glimpse into pioneer life in 19th century Pretoria.
Several studies have indicated that the time of onset of specific age-related changes throughout ... more Several studies have indicated that the time of onset of specific age-related changes throughout the human skeleton differs between populations. In this study the well-known Suchey-Brooks pubic symphyseal age estimation method was investigated to assess its performance in a white South African population. A total of 184 well-preserved os coxae were subjected to blind phase analysis, using the Suchey-Brooks descriptions and pubic symphyseal casts. The method performed well in a white South African population with statistically significant moderate positive correlations and relatively low biases in both males and females. However, due to the underperformance of the method in older individuals, new age ranges for phases IV through VI were created that are specific to the South African white population. This study indicated that Suchey-Brooks method can be used in a white South African population using the age ranges for phases I through III provided by Brooks and Suchey (1990), and the population specific age ranges for phase IV and V provided in this study.
In 1996, during ground-laying work for the construction of Main Reef Road in Krugersdorp, South A... more In 1996, during ground-laying work for the construction of Main Reef Road in Krugersdorp, South Africa, human skeletal remains were inadvertently uncovered. The identities of the people interred in these graves were unknown. Since these individuals have never been identified and the context of the cemetery never confirmed, this study attempts to identify the remains within their historical context by using techniques derived from bioarchaeology. Archaeological and archival information suggests that these individuals were buried in a pauper's cemetery on the premises of the Lancaster Gold Mining Company, and that they were most probably interred somewhere between 1895 and 1914. Individual osteobiological profiles and possible indicators of trauma and pathology are identified. Results suggest a MNI of 19 individuals, representative of African men and women of mostly young adult and adolescent ages. Infectious disease and non-specific signs of disease indicate the general poor health and harsh living and working conditions often associated with migrant labour. Based on the bioarchaeological findings, the Lancaster sample represents early migrant workers who moved to the Witwatersrand area prior to the implementation of the closed-compound system. These people probably worked on gold mines as unskilled mine labourers or in the low-income sector in the nearby towns, lived in informal settlements, and died as paupers. Even though these people remain unnamed, their remains enable us to reconstruct some aspects of their lives, in some sense giving a voice to a small group of people representative of the millions of migrant workers who shaped South Africa's industrial economy.
Burial of remains is an important factor when one attempts to establish the post-mortem interval ... more Burial of remains is an important factor when one attempts to establish the post-mortem interval as it reduces, and in extreme cases, excludes oviposition by Diptera species. This in turn leads to modification of the decomposition process. The aim of this study was to record decomposition patterns of buried remains using a pig model. The pattern of decomposition was evaluated at different intervals and recorded according to existing guidelines. In order to contribute to our knowledge on decomposition in different settings, a quantifiable approach was followed. Results indicated that early stages of decomposition occurred rapidly for buried remains within 7–33 days. Between 14 and 33 days, buried pigs displayed common features associated with the early to middle stages of decomposition, such as discoloration and bloating. From 33 to 90 days advanced decomposition manifested on the remains, and pigs then reached a stage of advanced decomposition where little change was observed in the next AE90–183 days after interment. Throughout this study, total body scores remained higher for surface remains. Overall, buried pigs followed a similar pattern of decomposition to those of surface remains, although at a much slower rate when compared with similar post-mortem intervals in surface remains. In this study, the decomposition patterns and rates of buried remains were mostly influenced by limited insect activity and adipocere formation which reduces the rate of decay in a conducive environment (i.e. burial in soil).
International Journal of Paleopathology, Jun 1, 2021
OBJECTIVE Real industrialization was late to arrive in South Africa and was associated with the d... more OBJECTIVE Real industrialization was late to arrive in South Africa and was associated with the development of mining in its northern regions. This paper explores the development and spread of infectious diseases (particularly tuberculosis), against the backdrop of metabolic disease. MATERIALS Published data regarding skeletons from various mining sites and historical information are collated, including information from the early accessions into the Raymond A. Dart Collection. METHODS While findings from several sites (e.g., Gladstone at Kimberley, Koffiefontein, Witwatersrand Deep Mine and Lancaster Mine) have been described individually, they have not been assessed collectively. This paper provides a broad overview by collating information from these sites, in comparison with a rural, pre-industrialized population. RESULTS Malnutrition, including scurvy, was common in most mining groups. Tuberculosis was rare in earlier mining groups, and the first possible skeletal cases only occurred after the establishment of closed housing compounds. From there it spread rapidly across the subcontinent. CONCLUSIONS Nutritional insufficiencies / metabolic disease and high death rates, due to trauma and infectious diseases, were common. Tuberculosis in South Africa is closely associated with development of the mining industry. SIGNIFICANCE This research highlights the development of tuberculosis in South Africa and its association with the mining industry. The role of migrant labor and the associated housing practices is elucidated. LIMITATIONS Sample sizes are limited, but the findings of this study are supported by documentary evidence. FUTURE RESEARCH Sample sizes should be increased, and the association between closed compound living and the development of disease further explored.
The Acsádi and Nemeskéri Complex Method is a multifactorial adult age estimation method that make... more The Acsádi and Nemeskéri Complex Method is a multifactorial adult age estimation method that makes use of weighting systems. The Complex Method employs the use of four skeletal elements in assessing age, including the degree of endocranial suture closure, age-related changes to the pubic symphyseal surface, and the internal structural changes observable in the proximal humerus and femur. Acsádi and Nemeskéri reported a very optimistic error margin of ±2.5 years when all four skeletal elements were used. Despite these promising results, the Complex Method's effectiveness has been questioned, suggesting that it results in a constant over- and underestimation of age in younger and older groups, respectively. In this study, the Complex Method was tested on a modern South African skeletal sample (n = 313) with individuals of known age-at-death. Results from this study to some extent justify the critique levelled against the Complex Method's tendency to over- and underestimate age. Nevertheless, the Complex Method still performed surprisingly well for certain skeletal element combinations. Contrary to Acsádi and Nemeskéri's findings, the use of all four skeletal elements did not provide more accurate age estimates. For the most part, combinations making use of three or two skeletal elements outperformed the use of all four skeletal indicators. Results from this study indicate caution in using a blanket approach when it comes to deciding on the best combination of skeletal elements used in multifactorial methods. It is suggested that the Complex Method may be optimised by making use of sex- and population-specific skeletal element combinations and weighting systems in the future.
With the largest genomic dataset to date of Bantu-speaking populations, including newly generated... more With the largest genomic dataset to date of Bantu-speaking populations, including newly generated data of modern-day and ancient DNA from previously unsampled regions in Africa, we shed fresh light on the expansion of peoples speaking Bantu languages that started ∼4000 years ago in western Africa. We have genotyped 1,740 participants, including 1,487 Bantu speakers from 143 populations across 14 African countries, and generated whole-genome sequences from 12 Late Iron Age individuals. Our results show that Bantu speakers received significant gene-flow from local groups in regions they expanded into. We show for the first time that genetic diversity amongst Bantu-speaking populations declines with distance from western Africa, with current-day Zambia and the DRC as possible crossroads of interaction. Using spatially explicit methods and correlating genetic, linguistic and geographical data, we provide cross-disciplinary support for a serial founder migration model. Finally, we discus...
ABSTRACT Various skeletons from the uThukela region of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Mountains of So... more ABSTRACT Various skeletons from the uThukela region of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa were excavated from rock shelters there during the early part of the twentieth century, with limited accompanying data or analysis. This paper analyses and reports on nine such graves (eight of which contained human remains), excavated during 1931 near Cathkin Peak. The remains are currently housed in the Raymond A. Dart Archaeological Human Remains Collection, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Most of the skeletons were radiocarbon-dated to between the fourteenth and mid-seventeenth centuries, but one is older and dates to between the seventh and ninth centuries AD. Remains recovered from the various shelters included those of both adults and children, males and females, indicating that these rock shelters were used for the burials of, and were possibly occupied by, a wide variety of individuals over a long period of time. Skeletal analyses revealed several signs of disease and trauma, attesting to some hardships living in this region of South Africa. Stable isotope analyses of carbon and nitrogen indicate a predominantly plant-based diet. Originally it was thought that these individuals’ remains represented those of the historic amaZizi people, however, radiocarbon dates indicate that they are contemporaneous with the Moor Park phase of the Blackburn branch, which predates the amaZizi by several decades. Of interest is the fact that one individual predates the Moor Park phase. This is significant and sheds some light on the movement of people from KwaZulu-Natal into the interior. Future ancient DNA analysis will provide more information on the origin and genetic relationship of these individuals.
The Nyanga complex is situated in the Penhalonga district of Manicaland province in northern Zimb... more The Nyanga complex is situated in the Penhalonga district of Manicaland province in northern Zimbabwe. According to various archival and modern sources, six skeletons were discovered in this region in the 1930s and are supposedly curated in the Raymond A. Dart Collection of Archaeological Humans Remains at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. In an attempt to locate these skeletons and associate them with the sites, archival records, skeletal and faunal analyses and radiocarbon dating were used to gain more information on the bioarchaeology of the region. Only three of the skeletons could be located in the Dart Collection, two of which could be reliably radiocarbon dated, one from the Hill of Paintings to before the beginning of the Nyanga complex, the other, from Mkondwe, to most probably contemporary with it. The latter shows evidence of dental modification similar to that seen in individuals recovered from the Monk's Kop site, situated to the north of Zimbabwe. This study forms part of a larger attempt to bring context to skeletons housed in archaeological collections because of their value as sources of information on the past.
During December of 2006, skeletal remains of eleven individuals were exhumed from the Du Preezhoe... more During December of 2006, skeletal remains of eleven individuals were exhumed from the Du Preezhoek cemetery located on the western banks of the Apies River, next to the Old NZASM Bridge, as part of a Heritage Impact Assessment. The excavated cemetery dated to the latter half of the 19th century and contained the remains of early pioneers. The remains were studied before they were reburied in the Du Preez allotment at the Old Church Street West Cemetery. Physical anthropological techniques were used to analyse these skeletons to determine their demographics, health, diet and lifestyles. The demographic information provided comparative data which could be assessed in terms of existing genealogical data, resulting in the potential identification of the remains. The pathological information gathered through the physical anthropological analyses provided insight into these individuals’ lifestyles and a glimpse into pioneer life in 19th century Pretoria.
To address problems of reproducibility related to current age estimation methods, the enhanced co... more To address problems of reproducibility related to current age estimation methods, the enhanced computational Methods (ECM) were previously developed using a sample of white North American male pubic symphyses and showed promise in improving current techniques. However, given the evidence of sex and population differences in the onset of age markers, this study set out to test the ECM on a white South African sample. The sample consisted of 184 well-preserved os coxae from individuals of known age and sex. Pubic symphyseal surfaces were scanned using the Artec Spider 3D scanner, processed using Artec Studio 10 and analyzed using forAge. Point estimates of age were then compared to the true age of each individual. Results indicate that the ECM performed poorly in a white South African population, with consistent underestimation of age-at-death and weak positive correlations with true age. Despite the low correlations, the ECM did, however, reduce observer error.
... in the adult skeleton are still largely absent before the advent of pu-berty enabling a less ... more ... in the adult skeleton are still largely absent before the advent of pu-berty enabling a less definitivedetermination of sex in immature ... is also argued that the genetic characteristics associated with ancestry cannot be determined with great accuracy in juvenile remains because ...
Burial of remains is an important factor when one attempts to establish the post-mortem interval ... more Burial of remains is an important factor when one attempts to establish the post-mortem interval as it reduces, and in extreme cases, excludes oviposition by Diptera species. This in turn leads to modification of the decomposition process. The aim of this study was to record decomposition patterns of buried remains using a pig model. The pattern of decomposition was evaluated at different intervals and recorded according to existing guidelines. In order to contribute to our knowledge on decomposition in different settings, a quantifiable approach was followed. Results indicated that early stages of decomposition occurred rapidly for buried remains within 7–33 days. Between 14 and 33 days, buried pigs displayed common features associated with the early to middle stages of decomposition, such as discoloration and bloating. From 33 to 90 days advanced decomposition manifested on the remains, and pigs then reached a stage of advanced decomposition where little change was observed in the...
An essential part of paleopathology is the study of diet and nutrition as well as inferring aspec... more An essential part of paleopathology is the study of diet and nutrition as well as inferring aspects of diet and nutrition from the skeletal pathology. Interpretation of nutritional and metabolic disease-related pathologies often provides additional insight into the daily social and cultural practices of people. However, precise diagnoses of specific vitamin-related deficiencies in archaeological skeletal remains are still quite problematic and specific diagnoses are rarely possible. This partly stems from the fact that many nutritional or metabolic diseases do not necessarily result in an osteological response and when they do, the comorbidity and analogous osteological responses to vitamin deficiencies may hamper the definite diagnosis of nutrition-related disease.
Trauma analysis in archaeological human remains can aid our understanding of cultural practices, ... more Trauma analysis in archaeological human remains can aid our understanding of cultural practices, socioeconomic status, environmental and social conditions, and even aspects of a person's occupation. For this reason, fracture patterns and frequencies can be useful in making inferences about the environment people lived and worked in. This is especially true for the 20th century mining industry where unskilled migrant labourers were often subjected to harsh working and living conditions. In this study, the skeletal remains of 36 Chinese indentured mine labourers, who worked and died on the Witwatersrand mines, South Africa, during the period ad 1904-1910, were assessed for evidence of trauma. Historical information suggests that these indentured Chinese labourers were unfamiliar with the workings of deep-level mines and as a result sustained many work-related injuries. Analyses suggest low frequencies of ante-mortem trauma. In the few instances where they occurred, these healed fractures most probably reflect injuries already sustained in China, some time before Chinese indentured employment on the Witwatersrand mines. A high frequency of traumatic lesions, specifically perimortem fractures, however, suggests a drastic shift in their working environment attesting to the hazardous working conditions associated with deep-level mining in the early 20th century.
An essential part of bioarchaeology is the study of diet and nutrition and its effects on the gen... more An essential part of bioarchaeology is the study of diet and nutrition and its effects on the general health of a person. Interpretation of nutritional and metabolic disease related pathologies often provide additional insight into the daily social and cultural practices of people. It is therefore also an essential part of understanding differences amongst past populations from archaeological contexts and provides an alternative means for cross referencing historical accounts. In this study the skeletal remains of 36 Chinese indentured mine labourers, who worked and died on the Witwatersrand mines during the period AD 1904-1910, were assessed for any signs of metabolic or nutritionally related signs of disease. Historical information suggests that these indentured Chinese labourers came from poverty stricken communities in China where disease and malnutrition were often encountered. Once in South Africa they were again subjected to the harsh living and working conditions associated with mining. Analyses suggest that all 36 individuals were males between the ages of 16 and 45 years, with the majority being of young adult age (20-34 years). Pathology that could be observed included a high prevalence of nutrition-related changes and linear enamel hypoplasia which suggests that the Chinese miners had been subjected to long periods of malnutrition and illness throughout childhood continuing into adulthood. Nevertheless, a large proportion of lesions associated with malnutrition showed some degree of healing. A high frequency of traumatic lesions, specifically peri-mortem fractures, was observed and may have contributed to the death of many of the Chinese miners. It therefore seems that even though the healing of pathological lesions associated with malnutrition indicated a period of improved nutritional intake, possibly during their time on the Witwatersrand mines, the high prevalence of peri-mortem fractures attests to the hazardous working conditions associated with deep-level mining. In order to aid in the interpretation of skeletal pathology associated with metabolic and nutritional diseases non-specific signs of disease observed in a cadaver skeletal sample with known causes of death (related to specific metabolic or nutritional diseases) were compared to pathology observed in the Chinese miners. This provided pathological patterns which enabled a better interpretation of the pathology observed in the Chinese skeletal remains.
During December of 2006, skeletal remains of eleven individuals were exhumed from the Du Preezhoe... more During December of 2006, skeletal remains of eleven individuals were exhumed from the Du Preezhoek cemetery located on the western banks of the Apies River, next to the Old NZASM Bridge, as part of a Heritage Impact Assessment. The excavated cemetery dated to the latter half of the 19th century and contained the remains of early pioneers. The remains were studied before they were reburied in the Du Preez allotment at the Old Church Street West Cemetery. Physical anthropological techniques were used to analyse these skeletons to determine their demographics, health, diet and lifestyles. The demographic information provided comparative data which could be assessed in terms of existing genealogical data, resulting in the potential identification of the remains. The pathological information gathered through the physical anthropological analyses provided insight into these individuals' lifestyles and a glimpse into pioneer life in 19th century Pretoria.
Several studies have indicated that the time of onset of specific age-related changes throughout ... more Several studies have indicated that the time of onset of specific age-related changes throughout the human skeleton differs between populations. In this study the well-known Suchey-Brooks pubic symphyseal age estimation method was investigated to assess its performance in a white South African population. A total of 184 well-preserved os coxae were subjected to blind phase analysis, using the Suchey-Brooks descriptions and pubic symphyseal casts. The method performed well in a white South African population with statistically significant moderate positive correlations and relatively low biases in both males and females. However, due to the underperformance of the method in older individuals, new age ranges for phases IV through VI were created that are specific to the South African white population. This study indicated that Suchey-Brooks method can be used in a white South African population using the age ranges for phases I through III provided by Brooks and Suchey (1990), and the population specific age ranges for phase IV and V provided in this study.
In 1996, during ground-laying work for the construction of Main Reef Road in Krugersdorp, South A... more In 1996, during ground-laying work for the construction of Main Reef Road in Krugersdorp, South Africa, human skeletal remains were inadvertently uncovered. The identities of the people interred in these graves were unknown. Since these individuals have never been identified and the context of the cemetery never confirmed, this study attempts to identify the remains within their historical context by using techniques derived from bioarchaeology. Archaeological and archival information suggests that these individuals were buried in a pauper's cemetery on the premises of the Lancaster Gold Mining Company, and that they were most probably interred somewhere between 1895 and 1914. Individual osteobiological profiles and possible indicators of trauma and pathology are identified. Results suggest a MNI of 19 individuals, representative of African men and women of mostly young adult and adolescent ages. Infectious disease and non-specific signs of disease indicate the general poor health and harsh living and working conditions often associated with migrant labour. Based on the bioarchaeological findings, the Lancaster sample represents early migrant workers who moved to the Witwatersrand area prior to the implementation of the closed-compound system. These people probably worked on gold mines as unskilled mine labourers or in the low-income sector in the nearby towns, lived in informal settlements, and died as paupers. Even though these people remain unnamed, their remains enable us to reconstruct some aspects of their lives, in some sense giving a voice to a small group of people representative of the millions of migrant workers who shaped South Africa's industrial economy.
Burial of remains is an important factor when one attempts to establish the post-mortem interval ... more Burial of remains is an important factor when one attempts to establish the post-mortem interval as it reduces, and in extreme cases, excludes oviposition by Diptera species. This in turn leads to modification of the decomposition process. The aim of this study was to record decomposition patterns of buried remains using a pig model. The pattern of decomposition was evaluated at different intervals and recorded according to existing guidelines. In order to contribute to our knowledge on decomposition in different settings, a quantifiable approach was followed. Results indicated that early stages of decomposition occurred rapidly for buried remains within 7–33 days. Between 14 and 33 days, buried pigs displayed common features associated with the early to middle stages of decomposition, such as discoloration and bloating. From 33 to 90 days advanced decomposition manifested on the remains, and pigs then reached a stage of advanced decomposition where little change was observed in the next AE90–183 days after interment. Throughout this study, total body scores remained higher for surface remains. Overall, buried pigs followed a similar pattern of decomposition to those of surface remains, although at a much slower rate when compared with similar post-mortem intervals in surface remains. In this study, the decomposition patterns and rates of buried remains were mostly influenced by limited insect activity and adipocere formation which reduces the rate of decay in a conducive environment (i.e. burial in soil).
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